Protecting Your Business from Malware Attacks

Out of all the data threats out there, malware attacks are one of the most common. Cyberattacks that use malware are a serious threat to everyone, from small business owners to huge corporations alike. A study from Kaspersky Lab’s investigation reported that over 100 banks across the world had been the victim of a malware attack in 2013 suffering up to $1 billion in losses. The sophistication of malware is becoming more advanced each year. Fortunately, there are several ways to ensure that you do not fall victim to a malware cyberattacks. Here’s how to protect your business from malware attacks.

What is Malware?

How to Protect Your Business from Malware AttacksIt’s important to know what malware is before learning how to avoid it. Malware is software that is designed to damage or disable computers and computer systems. Malware can steal critical information from your system or network, log your keystrokes, steal your credentials, slow down your Internet connection, leverage your computer to spam others, and so much more. Unfortunately, it is not only becoming more sophisticated, but more aggressive. Malware can come in the form of:

What are Some Signs of a Malware Attack?

If you begin experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be under a malware attack:

 A slow computer. Your computer takes longer than usual to start-up and run.

  • Pop-ups. Excessive pop-ups are infamous indicators of malware attacks.
  • Disabled programs. Often times, malware will disable programs that function to detect and remove it.

How to Protect Your Business from Malware Attacks

As a business owner, the most important step in protecting your business from malware attacks is being aware of the serious threat that cyberattacks pose to your business. Many individuals tend to downplay the seriousness and prominence of cyberthreats, which is why hackers easily gain access to their systems and information. Being aware of the types of cyberthreats out there, and your options to combat them is crucial.

Secure Your Network

The importance of network security cannot be overstated. Having a firewall in place to safeguard and monitor access to your network is crucial. WatchGuard DNSWatch offers superior security protecting users at the DNS Level adding extra layers of security to the RED and WebBlocker capabilities to block malicious connections to all protocols and ports. Without protection, your network and data are vulnerable to unauthorized use and activity, which could allow the introduction of dangerous malware into your system. Malware within your business’ network results in disaster, from lost data and revenue, to the complete destruction of your company.

Install Antivirus, Anti-Malware, and Anti-Ransomware Software

In order to protect your business from malware attacks, you need multiple layers of security. Having one antivirus installation is not enough. That is why it is crucial to invest in several security applications. Having several applications installed allows them to compensate for another software’s weakness, providing a strong level of defense against malware and other harmful cyberattacks. So, how do you protect your business from malware attacks? Install antivirus, anti-malware, and anti-ransomware software, along with several other software, to protect your company. Or, hire an experienced IT team to manage and install the software for you.

Regularly Update Your Systems, Software, and Applications

One of the most common ways hackers gain access to your system or software is to inject dangerous malware is through unpatched holes. That is why developers are constantly creating updates and patches to keep up with the rapidly evolving nature of malware and cyberattacks filling in the “holes” which hackers can gain access through in an outdated program. Regularly updating all of your business assets, from your security applications to all software and computers, is fundamental in decreasing the chances of a malware attack. Next time the update option pops up on your computer, don’t ignore it!

Utilize Encryption Software

In the unfortunate event that malware does breach your security and your data is compromised, it is important to have a backup plan. Part of this plan involves encrypting your data. When your data is encrypted, this encodes your data, meaning your data can not be translated or understood by a hacker, making it useless. So, to protect your business from malware, be sure to encrypt all of your business’ data, as well as store a backup copy of all of your data in several hard drives or locations. This ensures that even in the event of an emergency, your data will not be exploited or be permanently lost. There are several software options available that can easily encrypt your data for you.

Educate Your Employees

Another way to protect your business from malware attacks is to educate your employees. Studies have shown that numerous data attacks are simply the result of employees being unable to identify a malware attack and consequently aiding the hackers in their schemes. Training your employees to recognize potential malware attacks, such as phishing scams and malicious links, is an extremely helpful step in safeguarding your business and its data. So, be sure to regularly train your employees to recognize and avoid malware attacks.

Ensure the Safety of Your Business from Malware Attacks with Our Team of Professionals.

Regularly updating your software, being aware of and utilizing the proper security software, and ensuring the absence of malware attacks on your business is both challenging and time-consuming. That is why it is wise to entrust these tasks to a team of dedicated professionals. Our team at Strategic Systems – A Division of CEI offers a variety of services that all contribute to thoroughly protecting your business’ network and data from harm, from network security to managed IT solutions. Don’t let malware jeopardize your business; let our team thoroughly protect you today.

To learn more about our IT solutions or to schedule a consultation, give us a call at (919) 783-1410 or fill out the contact form below.